The UK Government has announced the rollout of an additional 500 free school breakfast clubs in deprived areas, potentially saving families up to £450 annually. The initiative targets primary schools where at least 40% of pupils qualify for free school meals (FSM), with funding applications opening on Thursday. This measure aims to support families grappling with the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Funding for these breakfast clubs has increased by 28% for average schools, according to the Department for Education (DfE). This decision follows feedback from educational unions indicating that previous funding levels during the pilot stage were inadequate. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the school leaders’ union NAHT, expressed satisfaction with the government’s responsiveness to concerns raised during the trial. “We’re very pleased the Government has listened to feedback from the trial schools and increased the funding for free school breakfast clubs,” he stated.
April 2026 will mark the beginning of this initiative, with funding allocated for 500 schools, followed by an additional 1,500 clubs in September 2026. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of prioritizing communities that are experiencing the greatest financial strain. He remarked, “I grew up in a family where every bill mattered, and I know what it feels like for parents trying to make ends meet.”
According to the DfE, the program is expected to serve an additional half a million children starting in April. Parents may benefit from saving approximately 95 hours in childcare responsibilities. A survey conducted during the pilot found that over one-third (38%) of parents struggled to provide their children with a healthy breakfast before school.
Schools participating in the program will receive £25 daily for staffing costs and £1 for each child attending the breakfast club. During earlier stages, schools received 78p per pupil for those eligible for FSM, alongside £500 for setup costs and £1,099 in termly funding. Whiteman noted that while the program’s aims are commendable, initial feedback indicated that funding was insufficient for many school leaders.
Duncan Jacques, chief executive officer of Exceed Academies Trust, highlighted that the increased funding rate will allow more educational trusts to maintain breakfast clubs. Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, stressed the need for ongoing reviews of the funding rate as the program expands, to ensure sustainability for schools.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated, “Our free breakfast clubs are ensuring over half a million more children don’t start the school day hungry, and save working parents around £450 a year.” The initiative is strategically launched in areas most in need, aiming to alleviate financial burdens for families across the UK.
